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Eyeflashes: September 17, 2024

By Daniel Opasinis

The online fashion retailer Shein had a pop-up truck on Gould Street at Toronto Metropolitan University on Sept. 5, for orientation week. 

Shirley Yuan, the marketing manager for Shein Canada said this is Shein’s “back-to-school campaign,” where students who visited the truck were able to sign up to win a free t-shirt.

Jenna Hamdan, a second-year biomedical engineering student, said she spotted the truck while walking with friends on campus. She said she tries to avoid shopping at fast fashion stores, especially Shein, because of public controversy over the treatment of their workers

“I don’t shop there personally,” Hamdan said. She was interested in the free t-shirts being given away regardless. 

Yaun said Shein is trying to encourage students to be “more eco-friendly.” If students brought a piece of gently used clothing, they were able to exchange it for a new one from the truck. 

By Victoria Andrade

Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Centre for Safer Sex and Sexual Violence Support (C3SVS) hosted a pole dancing night on Sept. 14 at the Met Campus Pub.

Aiming to normalize pole dancing and bring awareness to the profession, the event consisted of pole dancing lessons and performances by a TMU film student known professionally as Astra and her colleague known as Venus.  

Sam DeFranco, a support coordinator at C3SVS, said there tend to be preconceived notions surrounding the profession and its affiliations. 

“There’s all this stigma around pole dancing and its association around sex work…we just want folks to [know] it’s all good, nothing’s weird, nothing’s wrong—just come have fun,” she said.

The hosts of the event encouraged students to attempt a variety of dancing skills that matched individual comfort levels.

By Tamanna Gera 

The Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union (TMSU) has collaborated with Dialogue Health, a platform that provides virtual healthcare services, to bring students a 24/7 call and text virtual healthcare.

Launched on Sept. 1 by the service name “myvirtualdoctor” introduced by TMSU, the app “Dialogue” allows TMU students to consult with medical professionals about their healthcare concerns including travel health, colds, coughs, sexual health and more. 

“[The] app has helped me with meeting professionals even with my busy schedule,” said Shiv Patel, a second-year aerospace engineering student at TMU.

“It records all your daily activities as well, like how Apple Health does,” he added.

Medical professionals are also able to direct students to nearby local healthcare services if they’re advised to seek prescribed medication. 

Details on eligibility, a link to download the app and a guide on how to set up your account can be found on the TMSU website.

By Atiya Malik

The Dollarama in the Tenor building remains closed after a fire broke out on Aug. 23, leaving students to find new affordable shops as the fall semester kicks off.

The cause of the fire was related to ventilation issues according to Darryl Riggs, a customer service associate at Little Canada, one of Dollarama’s neighbouring units. 

In an X post by Toronto Police Operations, Toronto Police said there were no reported injuries. 

Located outside the Dundas subway station and within walking distance of Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) campus, the store has been a staple for students seeking budget-friendly essentials. 

“When I’m on campus studying and I want a snack, [it’s] often from Dollarama. As compared to other convenience stores nearby that price their snacks really high,” said Saarah Riaz, a fifth-year creative industries student at TMU.

Riaz highlighted the added inconvenience for commuters, saying the store is a trusted and quick stop for grabbing a snack after exiting the station and heading to class.

According to Riggs, Dollarama is aiming to reopen in October but no plans have been confirmed.

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